A Winter Wedding at Emerald Lake Lodge

March 13, 2019

Working with Tiffany and Neil was a blast from the very start. They’re a lighthearted couple who will have you laughing in any situation, and their wedding day was no different. From striking a funny pose during their first look, to confetti bombs during their first dance, they kept me on my toes in the best way.

As I drove up to Emerald Lake Lodge the morning of their wedding, I was in complete awe. We couldn’t have scored a more beautiful winter day to celebrate their marriage! The venue was perfectly blanketed in snow, but the water hadn’t frozen yet, so there was the most beautiful reflection in the lake. I felt so grateful to be there and honored to have been chosen to document Tiffany and Neil’s day. I was thrilled that they decided to go ahead with an outdoor ceremony, even if they lost feeling in their fingers during the vows and ring exchange, it was definitely worth it for such a beautiful backdrop. We did the majority of their photos outside because I believe that if you choose to have your wedding in the winter in the Rockies, you’d better come prepared for making the most of the beautiful scenery!

Some of my very favorite images in my portfolio came from Tiffany and Neil’s big day. I loved their approach to their bridal party – their sides were uneven, the bridesmaids picked their own gowns, but everything came together so beautifully. I loved the cute touch of the matching mittens too, each bridesmaid had mittens to match her unique gown! Also a highlight – they brought their sweet pup Pepper to be their flower girl! She looked fabulous, but I think she may have been the coldest guest out there.

Lastly, I loved how Tiffany and Neil decided to have a wedding that felt good to them. Instead of following traditions that weren’t meaningful to them, or investing in vendors that they didn’t feel were necessary, they focused on what was most important to them as a couple! They swapped wedding cake for delicious homemade pies, took the time to handwrite their vows and let’s just say there was a lot of vodkas…I’m not sure if everyone else remembers the reception, but that’s what photos are for, right?

Tiffany and Neil’s story began in the geological laboratories of the University of Alberta, and on the steep and rugged slopes of the Rocky Mountains during geology field school. Despite studies and careers that took them to various corners of the earth, there was certainly never a better place in the world than with one another. And so, through several years of additional wooing, rocks, and adventures, Neil proposed to Tiffany in the beautiful Kananaskis area, and the rest is geological history.

The wedding took place at the stunning and timeless Emerald Lake Lodge on a frosty November afternoon – over a foot of snow had fallen the night before. The ladies braved the winter cold in their fur shawls and the men with long-johns under their suits. As the outdoor ceremony began, the clouds cleared, and the mountains came into view. The ceremony was filled with laughter and happy tears. To conclude the ceremony, a round of vodka shots were shared amongst the guests – much to their surprise and delight.

The night was a medley of the small-town country and Polish tradition – country music, perogies, vodka, polkas, and George Strait. The day could not have been nearly as special without the efforts, kindness, and love of their vendors, family, friends, and of course the family dog – Pepper. From Tiffany’s mother baking fifteen pies to the friends who stored boxes of decorations in their basement, everyone played a part in making the day magical in every way.

To summarize the night in the words of Tiffany’s grandpa: “I feel 40 years younger!”